Spool for supporting wire.



L. W. R. SPOOL FQR 'SU NG WIRE APPLICATIDN nun JULY 30, an.

Patented Dec. 18,1911.

INVEHTOR W ATM/M578,

WITNESS V Y J 7 o gr- LEE WILLIAM BARKER, or annmeron, KANSAS.

SPOOL FOB SUPPORTING WIRE.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Dec, 18, 1917,

Application filed July 30, 1917. Serial No. 183,447.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, LEE 1V. BARKER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Arrington, in the county of Atchison and State of Kansas, have invented new and useful Improvements in Spools for Supporting Vv'ire, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is an improvement in spools for supporting wire, as, for instance, barbed wire, and the invention has for its object to provide a simple and inexpensive spool of the character specified composed of wire, and adapted to be journaled upon a rod, and wherein mechanism is provided for holding the spool from rotation and for controlling the speed of rotation of the spool.

1n the drawings:

Figure l is a perspective view of the improved spool;

Fig. 2 is an end view;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one of the engaging shoes.

In the present embodiment of the invention, the spool consists of end members 1, each of which is composed of substantially rectangular frames arranged transversely of each other, and the end frames are connected by longitudinally extending members 2, four in number, and arranged at the points of the square formed by the intersection of the fral'nes.

It will be noted that the rames are composed of wire bent to shape, as is also the longitudinally extending bar 2. The rod 3 upon which the spool may rotate is passed through the center of the square formed by the intersection of theframes at each end and is held in proper position by pairs of bearing plates or shoes at. A pair of plates or shoes is arranged at each end, the said plates being curved transversely to approximately the curve of the rod, and the plates at each end of the spool are connected by links 5. These shoes are movable in rings 6 which are held at the centers of the squares formed by the intersection of the frames by wire brackets 7 which are connected with the rings and with the frames.

It will be noticed that each of these wires or guys is V-shapcd, the apex being at the ring, while the arms are connected with the frame. It will be observed from an inspection of Fig. 3 that each of the shoes is so shaped that when they are moved transversely with respect to the ring .they will be moved inwardly, that is, each shoe is composed of portions of unequal radius. When the portion of smaller radius is within the ring the shaft 3 is free, while when the portion of greater radius is within the ring the shoes are pressed inwardly to clamp the shaft. A lever 8 is provided for operating the shoes, the said lever having one end forked, and the arms 9 of the fork are passed through openings in the shoes at the portion of greater radius, and are engaged by nuts 11 to pivotall y connect the shaft to the shoes.

Links 12 connect the arms of the fork near the body with the adjacent ring 6, and it will be evident that when the lever is swung the shoes at the adjacent end 6 will be moved transversely of the ring, and longitudinally of the shaft, and because of the links 5 the shoes remote from the lever will also be moved. The lever and the links, as well as the brackets 7, are formed of wire bent to shape.

In use, the spool which carries the wire on the body 2 between the heads 1 is supported by the shaft 3. One of the heads 1 is provided with a notch or recess 13 for engagement by the outer end of the wire to prevent unwinding of the same. \Vhen it is desired to run off wire, its end is disengaged from the recess, and the wire is drawn off, the spool rotating under the drawing olf of the wire. When it is desired to stop the spool, the lever is moved to the left of Ifig. 1, thus forcing the shoes into clamping contact with the shaft, and the movement of the spool may be braked, that is, slowed, or it may be stopped entirely, as may be desired.

I claim:

1. A spool for barbed wire comprising a body and heads, said body being open from end to end of the spool, rings supported in the body at the axis of the spool for receiving a shaft upon which the spool may rotate, a pair of shoes in the ring for engaging the rod or shaft at opposlte sides thereof, links connecting the adjacent shoes, a lever pivoted to the shoes at one end of the NT men. 4

spool, and links connecting the lever to the tate, a pair of shoes in the ring for engagadjacent ring. ing the rod or shaft at opposite sides there- 2. A spool for barbed Wire comprising a of-,.links connecting the adjacent shoes, and 10 body and heads, said body beingropenr from means connectedi with one of the pairs of 5 end to end of the spool, rings supported in shoes for moving said shoes longitudinally the body at the axis of the spool for receivofthe spool. p p I ing a shaft upon which the spool may ro- "WILLIAM BARKER.

Copies of this patent may be obtainedfor five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington i). C. 

